Time to build a Cessna

I needed to do a little project to keep myself busy over the holidays. So I decided to build a flight simulator.

I’m sure the neighbors thought I was crazy as our once quiet little garage became a construction zone for about two weeks. The main purpose of this crazy adventure was to try and keep up to date with my flying. More importantly… with my radio work. If any one has tried to fly down here in Southern California, you’d know that the one thing that you need to be good at is radio work! I must admit, it’s pretty intimidating taxiing out on to the runway being sandwiched between 737s and these fly boys talk fast.

With COVID I wasn’t able to get out and fly.
To top it off, I passed my FAA exams over a year ago hoping to be able to get up with enough (USA) hours to do my check ride and get my American Private Pilots. But, it’s complicated for a non-citizen be be allowed in a cockpit since the attack in 9/11, and COVID only made it worse.

So while I wait in being allowed up to fly again, I’ll be able to sit in front of my newly made Cessna 172 complete with functioning steam gauges, nav computer, yoke, and pedals.

I programmed a Raspberry Pi4 for the gauges and audrinos for the nav units. I 3D printed the mounts and used some rusty carpentry skills for putting together the remainder. All in all I think it turned out pretty good. The design for putting it all together was all ‘ad lib’ since I’ve never done anything like this before in my life.

Anyway, I’ve a short one minute video of me putting it all together if you’re interested in seeing it. You can see it on YouTube or on my video page.

It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot.
Now it’s time to fly !